Just been advised Australia Post Load&Go Reloadable cards will expire on 30 June 2019 - Any recommendations as to similar?

LTheRealDeal1 on 21/05/2019 - 17:17

My 14-year old has an Australia Post Load&Go Reloadable card so we can keep control of her spending and she doesn't need to carry cash.

It is great because the fees are very low and can be reloaded online when she needs extra funds (or to add pocket money to the card) and we have full visibility of her spending activity.

Unfortunately I have just received notice from Australia Post that this card will be discontinued at the end of June.

Do any of you savvy Ozbargainers out there have recommendations as to similar services / cards out there to replace this great card?

Requirements:

  1. Very low fees
  2. Reloadable
  3. Online access to reload and view activity
  4. No direct link to a bank account

Thanks.

Financial

Related Stores

Australia Post
Australia Post

Comments

  • pingualien on 21/05/2019 - 17:26
    +1

    Why did you not want a direct link to a bank account?

    • TheRealDeal1 on 21/05/2019 - 17:37

      I prefer to be bank agnostic, but the recommendations below are all valid and I will review them.
      My experience, however, is that banks have higher fees, or require a minimum deposit into the account each month (e.g. salary) to waive fees.

      • pingualien on 21/05/2019 - 17:38
        +7

        Go with ING Everyday Youth, there wont be any fees.

        • scotty on 21/05/2019 - 18:09
          +4

          Needs to be 15 to apply for it. My 14yo has been counting the days when she can apply for that…

          • TheRealDeal1 on 21/05/2019 - 18:15

            @scotty: Damn - you're correct - this one was looking to be a winner but "You must be 15 to 17 years old"

            Although - she will be 15 in early August - and Australia Post card will only be terminated end of June - so about 1,5 months in limbo - We can live with that…

            • bongom on 21/05/2019 - 20:23
              +1

              @TheRealDeal1: You could use gift cards for the 1.5 months. e.g.
              https://www.only1giftcard.com.au/

            • Zazer on 22/05/2019 - 21:17
              +1

              @TheRealDeal1: Can also vouch for the ING Everyday account, and as tonyduffe said, they've got a $50 bonus with Student Edge going on at the moment - though that is ending on 31 May so might not be able to grab it in time.

              • tonyduffe on 22/05/2019 - 21:24
                +1

                @Zazer: Should be relatively easy to get that $50 in the account in time it should be instant if you use the NPP to transfer it in. Unfortunately, I've just realised the minimum age is 15 OP's daughter unfortunately is 14.

                • Zazer on 22/05/2019 - 21:25
                  +1

                  @tonyduffe: Yup that's what I meant by in time, 14 still got some time to go. Ah well, they might have another later :)

        • kiitos on 22/05/2019 - 10:05

          Omg Everyday Youth looks good! I wonder if you can also combine it with one of those ING sign up bonuses they often have?

      • tonyduffe on 21/05/2019 - 23:46
        +1

        Unfortunately there's no way to avoid a bank account. Not even on the load and go are you avoiding a bank account Each load and go card is an account at Heritage Bank.

  • jjjaar on 21/05/2019 - 17:26
    +6

    You could just set her up with an ING account or similar that only you deposit into?

  • triviums on 21/05/2019 - 17:32

    You could try Revolut (App access only) or travel cards such as Qantas Travel Money

    • tonyduffe on 22/05/2019 - 00:01
      +1

      Both of those would be out for a 14-year-old. Minimum age restrictions would be unable to be met.

  • Jasongood on 21/05/2019 - 17:35
    +1

    NAB offers a travel money card option too. You can view transaction online and funds don’t get auto topup from your normal transaction account

  • twobit on 21/05/2019 - 18:01
    +3

    I use xinja

    • TheRealDeal1 on 21/05/2019 - 18:13

      Looks good but bank account not yet available and they are "no longer taking applications for the Xinja prepaid/travel card"

      • twobit on 21/05/2019 - 18:16
        +1

        The reloadable card is great, no FOREX charges…

        • tonyduffe on 21/05/2019 - 23:54

          Yeah but there's plenty of companies that do that and offer a better product.

      • tonyduffe on 21/05/2019 - 23:57
        +1

        Yep, it's only a prepaid card and technically it already has a bank account currently the product is issued by a third party institution. They just don't have bank account like features currently in their app. And you're also correct they're no longer open for new applications they just got their own banking license and are waiting to switch over and are going to start offering more bank account like products.

  • chrisd262 on 21/05/2019 - 18:04
    +6

    In my opinion all these cards are a waste of money.
    They do not serve any purpose over a normal credit or debit card
    FEES are the big problem - I only take credit/debit cards + cash when travelling
    (Maybe ING a good idea??)

  • Quantumcat on 21/05/2019 - 19:24
    +1

    I never paid any fees on my commonwealth account until I was no longer a full time student

  • justdigi on 21/05/2019 - 19:54

    Spriggy is for kids - www.spriggy.com.au

    • Diji1 on 21/05/2019 - 20:14
      +2

      Brainwashing children while the moronic parents pay $2.50 a month.

      • justdigi on 21/05/2019 - 20:34
        +3

        I never said it was good value? The question was what is a similar prepaid product for a 14 year old that’s not tied to a bank account. Prepaid cards are not really a thing since interchange fees were cut, as they can’t make a profit anymore. So choices that satisfy those requirements will be extremely limited.

        Even travel cards are clamping down on domestic use, as they are priced to make foreign exchange revenue and much higher interchange fees from use outside Australia. If you have another non bank linked prepaid product that is available to children under sixteen, I’m all ears.

  • Randxyz123 on 21/05/2019 - 20:06
    +1

    Why not a standard commbank or NAB account?? You can set up a monthly allowance "auto transfer" and she can have apple pay which is pretty useful. She can use regular ATMs if she needs cash without massive fees. There are no fees on accounts till she is no longer a student.

    Why do you need full visibility? She gets x amount per month/week/fortnight. If she blows that in a day she doesn't get any more.

    If you must have reloadable maybe Qantas cash? May as well get some FF points.

  • realfancyman on 21/05/2019 - 23:31
    +2

    ANZ & CommBank at least give debit VISA/MasterCard at 14, no fees whilst a full-time student so why not go for that?

  • tonyduffe on 21/05/2019 - 23:53
    +1

    As everyone on here has clearly pointed out the best option is to get your child a proper bank account with a debit card there is several options available for kids at the age of 14. And as I mentioned with these prepaid card products which are not really suitable and actually offer less protection then a real bank in most situations and have a tendency to have higher fees and hidden charges they're always attached to a bank account anyway it's just not obvious.

  • spackbace on 21/05/2019 - 23:56
    +1

    I'd vote a proper bank account when she's old enough as she's at the age where she could/should find a job, and that way it goes straight into her own account

  • bobbieb on 22/05/2019 - 07:02
    +2

    I think that you may have misread the email.

    There's nothing in the Auspost website saying that the product is going away, it seems that they're just no longer continuing the practice of renewing the card (and charging you for the replacement) at the end of each expiry period.

    From 12 April 2019, Load&Go Reloadable cards and Load&Go Travel cards will no longer be renewed upon expiry.

    When your card expires, you will not be able to use it for purchases or at ATMs.

    If your card has expired, you may cash out any remaining balance by calling 1300 665 054 (Please note that call charges apply, as per your telecommunications provider. However, you will not be charged an operator fee by our support desk for calls relating to an expiring/expired Load&Go card).

    If you're happy with your current arrangement, it seems you'll be able to buy a new card and swap your kid over.

    • TheRealDeal1 on 22/05/2019 - 09:18

      I thought that too, originally, but I re read the email I received from them which says they are doing away with this type of card completely.
      The email from Aus Post says:

      Your Load&Go Reloadable¹ card is about to expire
      Dear XXXXXX,
      As a valued Load&Go Reloadable card customer, we want to update you on important changes to your card.
      Your Load&Go Reloadable¹ card ending in XXXX will expire on 30 June 2019 and will not be renewed as part of changes to our cards offering.

      Even on their website it says: "From 12 April 2019, Load&Go Reloadable cards will no longer be renewed upon expiry.
      Keep an eye out for our new range of prepaid cards coming in June.

      Keen to see what's coming in June, but most of you above have correctly said it's better, safer, and definitely the right time for her to get a bank account (and a job :)

      • tonyduffe on 22/05/2019 - 12:50
        +1

        Yep from communications, I've had from them they're definitely shutting the product down. Both load and go and Optus Pay who were heritage issued products are closing down at the moment. Most likely because the co-branding relationship agreement has ended and they have decided not to renew it.

        Keen to see what's coming in June

        So am I.

        most of you above have correctly said it's better, safer, and definitely the right time for her to get a bank account (and a job :)

        Yep it's definitely time for all of that :), These prepaid cards are really only useful for the occasional online purchase in my opinion if you don't want to give out your real credit card information. But there is products coming down the pipeline in the Australian market will not even make that necessary any more. Several of the new Neobanks going to have a decent virtual card offering in the future.

        Unfortunately, your daughter is not old enough yet but up.com.au would've been nice. However, as I mentioned in one of my other post take a look at this thread here there's some good options there that have accounts that your daughter can have. ING Everyday Youth or just a normal Macquarie account you can't go to wrong with.

        Would've responded more detailed last night but it was late.

  • [Deactivated] on 22/05/2019 - 12:20
    +1

    Use cash. Teach her the real value of money. Cards are too disconnected from the experience of handing over hard earned cash.

    • Randxyz123 on 22/05/2019 - 14:26
      -1

      Cash is easy to loose.

      I can carry around my phone and no wallet. So much better than having a wallet!

      • [Deactivated] on 22/05/2019 - 14:45

        So you would rather lose your phone than a few bucks.
        Are you sure?

  • Ram AU on 22/05/2019 - 14:02
    +1

    Well I believe that they are bringing a new product from next month which instead of Visa may be a MasterCard, most likely with the identical functionalities as the current Load and Go Card.

  • AssociatedSeptim @ Australia Post on 22/05/2019 - 16:07
    +1

    AusPost are getting ready to relaunch the card under a new name. Still backed by Heritage Bank just issued as a MasterCard instead of a Visa Card. Check in with your local PO as at June 3 to pick up a replacement card.

  • daz1 on 02/07/2019 - 05:03
    -2

    Bit of a scam. My load n go still has about a year left on it n now I hear it's being deactivated on june 30th. I inquired and understand they have a new range 'The everyday MasterCard from auspost is their new load n go. At least it has a 5 year expiry. Works pretty much the same as the load n go cards they have had right up until deactivation. It's a scam because we all paid for that card that is now prematurely being cancelled so that they hope you buy from the new range which is $7.99.now if there are 1 million people forcibly changing that's a quick $8 million they have made just on the purchase of it. Even if there are only 50,000 users still that's $400,000 they make. SCAM IF U ASK ME!!!ANYWAY LOOK INTO A CARD CALLEDVASCO PAY . MINE JUST CAME IN THE MAIL. YOU CAN LINK IT TO A BANK OR GET MONEY PUT IN ANOTHER WAY IF U DONT LIKE IT. HAS 2 YEAR EXPIRY WITH BALANCE TRANSFERRED TO NEW CARD UPON APPLICATION.THERES ALSO COLES PREPAID, WOOLWORTHS (think they still around)and many others. Just google prepaid cards available in Australia. Pissed off with AUSPOST. SCAMMERS

  • daz1 on 02/07/2019 - 05:09
    -2

    Btw I paid the $8 and got the everyday MasterCard from scammers auspost. It's pretty much the same deal the good thing is I got it today and it expires in 5 years. U can use the auspost app n all that. Also got a VASCOPAY PREPAID VISA. 2 YR EXPIRY. LOW FEES ETC BASICALLY SIMILAR TO THE AUSPOST LOAD N GO'S T&CN FEE WISE. HOWS THAT AUSPOST GET US TO BUT A LOAD N GO VISA THEN CANCEL IT HALFWAY THRU N THEN HOPE U BUY THE NEW MASTERCARD. QUICK BUCK MAKING SCAM ARTISTS IF U ASK ME. THEY SHOULD OF AT LEAST GIVEN THE NEW CARDS FOR FREE AS A FORM OF COMPENSATION. BASTARDS!!!

  • andrek on 18/07/2019 - 11:49
    Merged from Prepaid Credit Card Suggestions

    I've got parents who live in Ukraine. The government pension there is s@#t, so I was looking for ways for a convenient way of sending money over every month.

    A few years ago I got a couple of prepaid Load&Go Visa cards from Australia post, set up automated deposit straight from payroll and mailed those cards over to them. They can use those to pay for groceries and even to withdraw cash if needed. Transaction fees are not great and I would never use that card myself in Australia, but given the overall situation, it worked well for the purpose.

    I've got a notice from Australia Post saying that Load&Go cards will be discontinued and whatever cards I have will be cancelled. So I am looking for options again.

    Any recommendations for a prepaid Visa/Master card which I could automatically top up with $100-$200 every month and use overseas?

  • TheRealDeal1 on 09/09/2019 - 17:57

    Thought I would provide you good OB folks an update (and a laugh as well perhaps)
    My daughter turned 15 yesterday, so being a great dad I sat with her today to apply for the ING Everyday Youth account which is specifically designed for kids aged 15-17.
    Well it turns out they need to do a verification (nothing unusual there - the whole AML / CTF thing etc).
    Most people are able to rely on Driver's License, Tax returns etc.
    Well for her, the only 2 options were Passport and Medicare card - Lucky we got past that hurdle.
    Then, however, they need to verify her physical address.
    And to verify her address they need either a tax return (I cannot imagine many 15 year old's have submitted a tax return before) or a bank statement with her full name and physical address on it.
    Now the issue is:
    She is 15, for goodness sake - and has never had her own bank account before, so how the hell do we produce this.
    Her mother has an account for her but in the mothers name (In Trust For my daughter) - not acceptable.
    And the bank statement goes to a PO Box - so again not acceptable.

    So how on earth can a 15 year old prove her residential address when the barriers are so high.
    Why on earth would ING offer this type of account when the majority of candidates would not get past the assessment criteria - absolutely ridiculous!!!!

    I called their support line and the poor guy on the other end of the phone found it just as ridiculous as I did and said nothing they can do - we will have to apply elsewhere.

    So a big thumbs down to ING who market a product specifically developed to target a demographic that are unable to access the product.

    • kiitos on 10/09/2019 - 08:17
      +1

      I ran into the same problem when trying to apply for that account for my 15yo daughter on the last night of a $50 bonus promotion. I was similarly flabbergasted.

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